“New knight?”
“Yes, Father.”
There was no trace of regret on Rosenite’s face as she answered quietly. I looked at her as if I was assessing her.
'A girl with such high standards and a strong desire for exclusivity, is letting go of Sylvestian Millard?'
Rosenite also had her own explanation.
“It was so hard to do the engraving that I don’t want to do it again. Of course, I need your permission, though. Is that okay, Sister?”
"Yes."
My eyes sank as I answered. What was her intention?
Putting that aside, it's easy to say that you're bringing in a new direct knight.
There was no way it would look good. I felt skeptical, thinking that perhaps this was the limit of the royal family.
“Yes. Do whatever you want.”
“Thank you, Fathee!”
Desmond II was still generous to his favorite, Rosenite.
As I was sighing inwardly, Rosenite spoke with the same loving expression and voice as before.
“And Father, there is another one.”
“Huh? Tell me, Rosie.”
“Could you please throw me a big banquet? I miss the social atmosphere.”
“Hmm, a banquet..."
Desmond II pretended to be troubled. I lifted my teacup and gave a negative outlook.
'The New Year's party is in a month, so it would be awkward to suddenly hold an unscheduled party during that time.'
Then Rosenite came up with an excuse to persuade Desmond II.
“I need to let people know that I’m healthy and put an end to the rumors. And..."
"And?"
“It's also your sister Eve's birthday, so it's kind of a double entendre, yes?”
I almost spotted my tea. What kind of a situation is this, that Rosenite is planning my own birthday, not someone else's?
“Oh, right. It’s Eve’s birthday soon.”
“Yes. I would be happy if I could celebrate with my sister. So please throw a banquet, Father. Yes?”
“Yeah, it’s nice to see sisters taking care of each other. I get it.”
“Wow, I’m so happy!”
I was dumbfounded by the acceptance that fell so easily.
'What are you planning, Rosie?'
Unlike before, I couldn't read Rosenite's mind very well. I had to grab Rosenite quickly and say something to her to get some information that I could guess.
I felt like I might be able to get at least a piece of it.
So, I was looking forward to the morning greetings being over, but then a problem arose.
“Eve, you stay for a moment. I would like to talk about the single-win title that I proposed earlier.”
“...Yes, Father.”
I looked back at Rosenit with a regretful face. Then I witnessed a surprising sight.
“Sister Nia.”
In the hallway, Rosenite was approaching Stefania.
“Won't you join me for afternoon refreshments? I have some delicious macaroons at my place. Oh, and you're welcome to join us, Hesia.”
Stefania was clearly Brigitte's puppet. Especially now that she was about to grab my ankle. My face sank at the unusual meeting.
At that moment, Rosenite turned her head and looked at me. As she and Stefania walked away down the hallway, what on earth were her ruby-colored eyes, which were persistently staring at me, trying to say?
I couldn't give a hasty answer to the mystery that seemed to be half-answered.
Four days later, Alben returned from his secret business trip to the south.
“Your Highness, how are you?”
“You came back earlier than I expected.”
“While I was away, I should not let your lost favors be showered on Sir Agnito! I was in a hurry for fear that the hierarchy of your loyal subjects would change!”
“Shouldn’t you have shown that kind of attitude when you left for your mission?”
“Ugh, I’ll do my best.”
I smiled and offered Alben a seat. Alben also greeted Michael.
“I trust you have served Her Highness well in my absence, Sir Agnito.”
“Whether Lord Redmon is there or not, it is my responsibility to assist.”
After a brief reminiscence, he went straight to reporting the results of his business trip.
“As Your Highness instructed, I pretended to be the owner of the company and contacted the families in charge of resource production. It was really annoying that the nobles there kept coming to see me every day.”
“It looks like you’ve built up a lot of trust and popularity.”
“Hehehe, I seem like a somewhat trustworthy person, don’t you think?”
“Ah, I see. It wasn’t just me who saw it that way.”
“Hehehe!”
Alben twitched and twitched his body in delight, not knowing that I was training him. But soon his face turned serious and he said.
“We have been fanning the flames of greed to the point of causing a rift in the alliance. By now, Count Pablo Rios, who monopolizes the production of pure silver, would have started it. We plan to meet periodically in the future to continue to fan the flames even more.”
“Good.”
When I and Alben were exchanging predictions about the good news that would be heard around the time of the founding of the country, Alben suddenly said something that came to mind.
“By the way, the protocol seems to be busy with the addition of an unscheduled banquet. Is it the Eighth Princess's rebirth banquet?”
"Yes?!"
When Alben was so surprised that his eyes popped out, Michael interjected in a strange tone.
“I think you should give up the second-ranking confidant. You don’t even know your master’s birthday.”
“Ah, no, that’s...!”
Alben, who was rarely cornered, floundered.
Finding no excuse, he made a vain attempt to turn the arrow.
“Oh, did Sir Agneto know?”
“That’s a question not worth answering.”
Michael smiled brightly. It was safe to say that Michael, who had even found memories of his past life, knew everything about me.
Alben was devastated by the feeling of defeat.
“Wow, this can’t be happening! I haven't even played the game yet, and I can’t lose your favor already!”
“That's it, Alben. Don't make a big deal out of it. I've always spent my birthday alone with Cedella, and it's awkward to have a banquet all of a sudden.”
It was unintentional, but it set a somber tone. It was a glimpse into the life of a young Princess who, until last year, would have spent her days in the far corner of the Star Palace.
Everyone knew that I had been alone with my only handmaiden, Cedella, ever since Empress Isabelle had turned a blind eye.
The former residence, now a warehouse, was neglected by the courtiers, and the budget was poorly allocated. She'd been ostracized from social circles, so of course she had no one to socialize with.
I had dessert with Cedella alone.
I was used to birthdays that consisted of sharing dessert with Cedella. For a Princess's birthday, it was a very modest affair indeed.
It was then that Alben shouted resolutely.
"Your Highness!"
“That’s surprising. Why are you suddenly like that?”
“Tell me the first building you said you wanted to blow up last time, and I'll do it for you as an early birthday present!”
My eyes narrowed, and he said, “I'm sorry.” Then I smiled.
“Oh my! You’re saying that my skills are still lacking! I’ll work even harder!”
In any case, Alben had a knack for freshening things up. I laughed out loud.
“I have a gift for you today. Before you think about what to give me for my birthday, take this first.”
“Huh? It’s a gift?”
Suddenly, I erased my smile and assumed the appearance of a solemn princess.
“Lord Alben Redmon.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Get up and bow down.”
Somehow, it felt authentic. Alben knelt down on one knee on the floor and bowed his head, though he looked uncomfortable. I rose and stood in front of him.
“On behalf of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor. For your discovery of an illegal coal storage warehouse that could have caused an even greater conflagration in the 13th District. For your work in the Second District, taking down a human trafficking cartel. For both of these accomplishments, Alben Redmon is hereby conferred with the Manor of Linus and the rank of Baron.”
“What are you doing, Baron Linus? Why don’t you hurry up and say thank you?”
“Your Highness! I, I bow to you. I will serve you with all my heart and soul!”
“You should do it to His Majesty, not me.”
“Thank you for giving birth to Her Highness the 7th Princess! Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”
Alben bowed three times in the direction of the main palace, and then looked back at Michael, sobbing as he tried to calm his heaving chest.
“Well, I think it’s a bit premature to judge, Your Grace.”
“Huh? Please call me again.”
“Your Grace the Baron.”
“Ugh!”
Alben twisted his body in a state of overwhelming emotion.
He was surprisingly a kind-hearted person, so he took care of Michael.
“I've always worked with Sir Agnito on the mission, and I don't think it's fair that I should be the only one recognized for it.”
“I am a homunculus subordinate to the imperial family, so there is nothing I can do.”
“Yes.”
“And for me personally, the merit is fine. It is enough that I was of help to Her Highness.”
“Oh my, that loyalty! As expected of the third in line.”
I, who had been watching the two people giving and receiving in a friendly manner, opened my mouth.
“It's not much, but I've given Michael a gift from my own that will honor him, something big and beautiful to show off.”
Michael answered with a faint smile.
“Do you remember the saga of the frontier districts that I was assigned to not too long ago?”
It was Alben who helped me to utilize my first choice as the winner of the first round in the right place. Truly a man to have around.
Anyway, now Michael, like the rest of the Knights, has a place where he can go once a week whenever he's off duty to relax. Sometimes with me, of course.
“I planted a beautiful olive tree in the yard there.”
“Wow! Such a meaningful gift!”
The admiration was no exaggeration. It was like the Emperor giving a garden to show his affection, but since a garden was not possible due to the size of the area, a large tree was presented instead as a compromise.
A beautiful tree that people would see every time they passed in front of the wall would enhance Michael's honor.
Alben thought it was a really nice gift, but there was one slight concern.
“Ahem... But, are you talking about the olive tree, a symbol of abundance and fertility?”
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment